Death of a Salesman

What is the dramatic function of the character of Happy to the tragedy Death of a Salesman?

Hiya, this is my essay title and was just wondering if anyone knew of any further reading articles which related to my question? It would be very much appreciated! I have read Tragedy and the Common Man but it does not relate to my question very much! xx

Asked by
holly b #168999
on 2/13/2011 1:26 PM

Last updated by
tracey l #96417
on 4/23/2011 9:41 PM

Answers
1

Happy's character is as unsatisfied as his father and his brother. In the cruel irony of his name, happiness seems to elude Happy. In the flashbacks of his childhood, Happy is always trying to gain his parents' attention when Biff is the centre of their focus. He reveals his compulsion to take what is not his (rather like his brother) in the form of winning over other men's fiancees before their weddings Act I-

'I don't know what gets into me, maybe I just have an over-developed sense of competition or something...I hate myself for it. Because I don't want the girl and, still, I take it and - I love it!'